How To Prepare and Paint or Stain Old Doors

Posted on December 5, 2016 by ogtadmin

They say that first impressions are the ones that last, whether you want them to or not. This can be just as true for your home as it is of your personality. If you’ve found that the front door to your home needs some updating, or if you’ve found the perfect door in our online selection or at one of our Olde Good Things locations, taking the time to stain or paint it can make all the difference. Having a front or interior door that doesn’t match your personal style can really throw off your decorating scheme. This article will serve as a step-by-step guide to making that old door look new and beautiful again.

In order to ensure that you don’t cause any damage to the doorframe while preparing and painting or staining your door, it’s best to remove the door from the hinges. This can be accomplished by unscrewing the door from the hinge. No need to remove the pin. Place a protective drop cloth over two sawhorses or on the floor, and lay the door on it. Be sure that it’s quite sturdy – you don’t want the door falling off and getting damaged! If you are working on the entry door to your home, you can leave it on the hinges, but you’ll want to be especially careful when sanding to ensure that you don’t damage the paint on the door frame, and when staining to ensure you don’t get any on your house!

To begin, lightly sand all of the surfaces down to remove any chipped paint as well as rough areas or edges around the door. When sanding, it’s very important that you remember to always sand with the grain of the wood so that you don’t cause any damage to the door. Once you’ve sanded down all of the door’s surfaces, wipe down the door with a cloth to remove any dust that has built up while sanding. Once the door has been completely prepped for painting or staining, you’ll want to wear protective gloves to ensure none of the dirt or oil from your hands is trapped in the stain or paint.

Now you’re ready to begin applying the stain or paint that you’ve chosen. Using vertical strokes, apply the stain or paint generously to one side of the door. If you’ve chosen a stain, use a clean rag or cloth to immediately wipe any excess stain from the door. Repeat this process on all six sides of the door. Let the stain or paint dry for 24 hours. If applying stain instead of paint, you will need to apply a coat of varnish or urethane between each coat of stain, and also let dry for 24 hours. Then, lightly scuff the surfaces of the door with 180-220 grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth finish before applying the next coat. Be gentle! You don’t want to remove all of the stain and varnish you’ve just applied! You’ll need to repeat this process for the second coat of stain, and then apply a third and final coat to achieve the best look. For paint, apply as many coats as you need to reach your desired color.

Enjoy the look of your new door and entryway. Changing the look of even something simple like a door can really enhance the look of your entire home. If you’re looking for hardware to match your newly stained or painted door, try checking out our selection of knobs and hinges online, or pay us a visit. If you have any questions about refinishing your antique or salvaged pieces, one of our knowledgeable staff can help with any question you might have.